Lexus Dealership Timing Belt Change

[FQ369]

Hi all,

This being my first post, here's a quick introduction to myself and my car. I have a '99 MK4 LS400 in Atlantis Blue Mica that I bought in March this year and I love it to bits. Growing up in Dubai where they were ultra popular bad-***** cars, I'd always lusted after one and now I've already put over 10000 miles on mine. 😄 

Now I know timing belts have been discussed here quite a few times, but I thought it may help to bring some up to date information to help everyone and also share with you something strange I've found.

I rang Lexus Coventry today (Listers) to enquire about a timing belt and water pump change. I was told by the service sales rep that these repairs come under "Lexus Fixed Price Scheme" and the timing belt change costs £295 (sounded very reasonable) and the water pump change costs £395. Now I assumed the £395 would include both timing belt + water pump, but I was clearly advised this WASN'T the case. 

To me it made perfect sense that having the water pump replaced whilst you're already having a timing belt job done would cost an extra £100, since 95% of the labour work is already done. This is pretty much standard practice with most workshops and also aligns with some older posts I've read here on this forum. I expressed my dissatisfaction and spoke to somebody in the parts department to see if there's a change in opinion, but was given the same story, "These are the rates from the Fixed Price Scheme and they are treated as two separate jobs". Basically, computer says no; common sense mustn't prevail.

I've since done some searching on the interweb and found this on another Lexus Dealership website:

It sounds completely ludicrous that Lexus would expect us to pay an extra £395 for an additional 0.5 hours of labour (if that!). If I opted for the water pump replacement as listed in the image above, would it really not include timing belt replacement? Have I just been unlucky and only spoken to monkeys on the phone? Is it worth going down there and speaking to them in person? 

Would love to hear if anyone has had a similar experience or know more about this. Feel free to let me know if I'm being daft here and if you have any other ideas 🙂 

Many thanks,

FQ369

 

 

[Herbie]

No, it's not just you being unlucky, they really do charge these extortionate prices!

Notice that the timing belt is just that, the belt alone, without replacing idlers/tensioners.

Of course, the question has to be, why are you even considering using a Lexus dealer? Timing belts and water pumps are bread-and-butter jobs for any mechanic and could almost be done in their sleep. No need even for a Lexus specialist, any good trusted/recommended mechanic/garage will be able to do a much cheaper job equally as good.

[Malc]

Yousuf hi,            .........  don't forget it's about an 8 hour job ..  and the coolant will need changing too and you would probably replace the serpentine belt if it's old or worn

Just had mine all done this year by my indy  ..  at 205k miles and 100k since the last change and 11 years ............. the old cambelt looked quite ok too

Malc

[The-Acre]

Ridiculous main dealer pricing.  I was quoted £450 for the job, including pump, idlers and tensioner, and cam belt of course!

[rich1068]

Quite ridiculous. But if you do fancy having it done at a main dealer I'd try calling a different one. Lexus Coventry clearly couldn't give a toss. Try speaking to Chris on service at Sheffield. He has either a 400 or 430 and I'm sure he'll tell you if it's Lexus "policy".

By comparison I bought my '02 2JZ IS300 last year and received a year's warranty from Lexus Sheffield. Just before the warranty ran out I had it back to them for a service and they identified a small leak from the pump. This was changed under the warranty but while they were in there I asked them to change the timing belt. It wasn't really due for a couple of years but it cost me about 35 quid because all the labour was included in the water pump job.

[cruisermark]

I Have never had the need to have a cambelt done at the dealers but I have often come across posts here on LOC which mentioned dealers doing a cambelt change for £295 or £100 extra to include the Water pump - I always thought this was a very good price considering its the main dealer.

Now we know this is not the case and to get both the cambelt and water pump replaced at the dealers would cost just shy of £680 and that still does not include the tensioners.

As mentioned by other members it is best to go to an independent for this job - ideally a Japanese Specialist.

[FQ369]

Thanks everyone. 

I've always felt it's best to go to someone who has plenty of experience doing the exact same job. I know your average indy does timing belts all the time, but all cars are slightly different and come with their own idiosyncrasies in terms of process and design.

If there is a recommended specialist who knows our cars, I'd love to hear about it; as closer to the West Midlands as possible please. Also please let me know if there's a recommended kit that's genuine/genuine quality in terms of parts. 

@cruisermark, 

I've read those £295+100 reports as well, and made sense logically. I'm sure there are dealers out there who practice this common sense, or maybe it's just a matter of speaking to the right person in the shop. As Rich above pointed out, £35 additional to throw on a new timing belt when the pump was being done. 

Have to say though, at £295, I'm quite tempted to just have the belt done and forget about it 😆

[The-Acre]

Gates timing belt kits seem to be highly regarded.  I would so seriously think twice about not having the pump done as well though, it would seem like false economy, plus you'll have the peace of mind.

[Malc]

15 hours ago, FQ369 said:

I'm quite tempted to just have the belt done and forget about it

.................built in write-off potential then before you start ownership proper  

Malc

[FQ369]

 

10 hours ago, Malc said:

.................built in write-off potential then before you start ownership proper  

Malc

Haha, I was only joking about that ☺️

 

Little update:

Went in to Lexus Coventry to try and make some sense of the daft answers I've had from them on the phone so far. Spoke to a very nice chap called Tom, who agreed with what I was saying about not charging me labour twice. We've agreed at £395+65, so I'll be getting timing belt + water pump done on Tuesday.

They will advise me at the time in terms of the current health of tensioners and pulleys (they are dear though!)

Hope this helps everyone. 

[MLW]

If you have the lot done, that equals 9 years of no trouble. Must be worth it, as days after it is done......a tensioner will go.

[Herbie]

On 11/2/2018 at 6:04 PM, FQ369 said:

We've agreed at £395+65, so I'll be getting timing belt + water pump done on Tuesday.

They will advise me at the time in terms of the current health of tensioners and pulleys (they are dear though!)

So £460 and still no tensioners/pulleys. I paid the same amount for everything, including 10L Toyota Super Long Life Pink coolant, tensioners and pulleys, at my local trusted indy place.

 

[messi]

I bought the timing belt from Lexus dealers and got my garage to fit it. Belt cost me £58 and I was charged £120 to have it fitted. But then again I know the owner of the garage and he kinda always gives me mates rates 

[Malc]

blimey  £15 an hour labour is great  

Malc